“Your own parents hated and abandoned you. What makes you think I’ll take you in? Get lost. I don’t want to see you again.
”
I stood there, frozen in the snow, staring at the man who had once promised me forever. “Why? That’s not what you said before. You said you didn’t mind.
”
Paul, the leader of the Snowy Peaks clan, sneered at me. “Jodie! If it weren’t for your family background, I wouldn’t have married someone like you. After all, you can’t even transform into a dragon and fly up there.
”
“I told you,” I said, my voice cracking. “There’s a seal inside my body. ”
“I don’t care. Just look at you.
I’d be embarrassed to be seen with you. I am the leader of a clan. I don’t need an ugly woman with a huge mark on her face as my wife. ”
“Please,” I begged, clutching at his sleeve.
“I have nowhere else to go. ”
He ripped his arm away. “When you can fly your way up here, we’ll talk. ”
Then he turned and flew off, leaving me kneeling in the frozen wasteland with nothing but the burn mark on my face and the echo of his cruelty in my ears.
I was a daughter of the Ford clan, but I had always been the outcast. My parents had favored my sister, Zoe, my whole life. They saw me as a curse, a dragon with the blood of a dragon slayer running through my veins. My existence was a stain on their perfect family.
And now, my husband had thrown me out like trash. Spent and broken, I wandered until I collapsed near the entrance to a forbidden snowy mountain range. I knew the area was off-limits, but I had nowhere else to go. Death seemed like a welcome relief.
But fate had other plans. Through the howling wind, I heard a scream. It was raw and agonized, cutting through the snow like glass. Against my better judgment, I followed the sound and found a cave.
Inside, a man was chained to the wall. His entire body was glowing red, smoke curling off his skin as if he were being slowly roasted from the inside. His eyes were wild with pain. “Who are you?
” I asked cautiously. “Please,” he rasped. “Help me. ”
I reached out instinctively, and the moment my fingers touched his skin, the heat vanished.
He gasped, staring at me as if I were a miracle. “You can touch me? ” he whispered. “What do you mean?
”
“You’re my antidote,” he said, a desperate laugh escaping his lips. “After searching for so many years, it turns out my antidote is a human. Please, help me. ”
“Me?
How can I help you? Do you need me to call someone? ”
“I want you to put out my fire. ”
Before I could react, he pulled me closer, his lips claiming mine.
The heat that had been consuming him poured into me, painful and overwhelming, but I didn’t burn. When we finally broke apart, I was panting. “I… I can’t. ”
“Please.
You’re the only one who can help me. I’ve been tormented by the burning curse for centuries. You’re the first person who’s been able to touch me. ”
I shook my head.
“No, you don’t get it. No one wants me, and nobody will sleep with me. I’m worthless. I have to go now.
”
But he caught my hand. “But to me, you’re very special. Actually, you’ve already captivated me. ”
I almost laughed.
“I’ve been bonded with Paul for three years, and he never touched me, let alone said anything like that. ”
“Please help me. ”
I couldn’t refuse him. It was my first time, and he whispered, “Don’t worry, after this I’ll be with you.
”
I woke up alone. The cave was empty, and the chains that had held him were gone. There was no trace of him anywhere, just a lingering warmth on my skin. I told myself I didn’t care.
I had no one, and I was used to being abandoned. But something had changed. The mark on my face was gone, and for the first time in my life, I could feel the dragon inside me stirring. I moved to a small town at the edge of the human territories and gave birth to twin daughters.
But my younger daughter died in infancy, leaving only my little Bella to keep me company. I became a tailor, living a quiet life, hiding my true nature. For five years, I lived among humans, and no one knew that I was not only of the dragon race, but also possessed the blood of a dragon slayer. My seal was broken, and I could transform into my dragon form at will.
But my past was about to catch up with me. One afternoon, while Bella was playing in the street, a shadow fell over the town. Screams erupted as dragons descended from the sky. “The dragons are here!
The dragons are here! ”
I shoved Bella behind me, but a massive dragon swooped down and snatched her up. “Bella! ” I screamed, shifting into my dragon form and giving chase.
When I caught up, I found myself face to face with my father, Lord Ford. “Father,” I said through gritted teeth. “J-Jody? ” He stared at me, disbelief and disgust warring on his face.
“How can that be? Where’s my daughter? ”
“When Paul drove me out five years ago, you all avoided me like a plague. We aren’t family, Lord Ford.
”
“You… If you were half as sensible as your sister, your mother and I wouldn’t treat you this way. ”
“I just want to know where my daughter is. ”
“You can’t see her for now. In three days, you will marry Lord Law of the Cinderlands.
He can’t know about your child. ”
“Nick? You mean that vile dragon who slaughtered three villages and burned his last fiancée to death? ”
“Those are just rumors.
You only need to marry Nick for one year. Besides, he is the leader of the most powerful dragon territory. ”
“If he’s so wonderful, why don’t you marry Jody to him? ”
“What are you talking about?
Your mother will never allow it. ”
“So, it’s okay for me to marry him? ”
“Jody, our family needs the support of the Lord of the Cinderlands. As it happens, he needs a marriage alliance, too.
Your mother and I have already decided. Just prepare for the wedding in the next two days. ”
I looked at the man who was supposed to be my father. “When I was five, I suddenly awakened my dragon slayer bloodline.
From then on, you couldn’t stand the sight of me. Your whole world revolves around my sister. But Father, I’m your daughter, too. ”
“We are dragons, and you are a dragon slayer.
Jody, you shouldn’t exist. You’ll only ruin us all. ”
That night, I tried to escape with Bella, but my mother and sister were waiting for me. “I knew you’d come for her, Jodie,” Zoe sneered.
“Bad woman! Let my mommy go! ” Bella cried. “No wonder she’s your child, Jodie.
She’s just as annoying as you. Mom and Dad hate you. Paul doesn’t want you, either. So, you ran off and had a bastard with some random guy.
”
“Bella, HE’S NOT A BASTARD! LET ME GO! ”
“If you don’t obey us, I’ll send someone to snap that bastard’s neck. ”
My mother stepped forward, her voice cold.
“Jodie, you’re marrying Nick soon. The Dragon Clan values a woman’s reputation. You can’t marry him like this. But if we shatter your bones with this crystal hammer and reshape your body, you’ll become a virgin again.
”
I stared at them in horror. “You’re going to break my bones? ”
“We’re good to you, right? ”
My father grabbed my arm.
“Let’s get this over with. ”
“No! ” I struggled, but they were too strong. “What about Bella?
If I’m gone, what will happen to my daughter? ”
“She can’t stay. ”
“No, you can’t touch her. ”
“If you don’t cooperate, she dies right now.
Stop struggling, Jodie. You can’t protect her. ”
“No. Please.
I’m begging you. ”
They raised the hammer, and I screamed. Then a voice cut through the chaos: “Let her go. ”
It was Nick.
He walked into the room like he owned the place, his eyes cold and dangerous. He looked at me, and a flicker of recognition passed through his gaze. “Are you okay? Don’t worry.
After this, I’ll be with you. ”
I stared at him, my mind reeling. I couldn’t breathe. He looked exactly like the man from the cave five years ago.
But before I could say anything, he turned to my father. “I’m here for my daughter. You stole my daughter to force me back. Now I’m standing right in front of you and you still don’t recognize me?
”
My mother paled. “J-Jody? ”
“Jody, I’m your father. Is that your way to speak to me?
”
“When Paul drove me out five years ago, you all avoided me like a plague. We aren’t family, Lord Ford. ”
Nick’s gaze flickered to me, and something in his eyes softened. Then he turned back to my parents.
“We’re getting married in three days. How dare you touch her? ”
“Nick, Jody is my mate. Do you know that?
” my father stammered. “So what? ”
He took me away from them. As we walked, he asked, “Did he drug you?
”
“I don’t know. He… he hurt me. I’m so hot. ”
“Jody, snap out of it.
”
“I can’t control myself. I’m so sorry, sir. ”
“Jody. Don’t move.
We can’t get intimate. ”
“What do you mean? ”
“If we get intimate, you’ll get burned down there. In all these years, only one woman has been able to withstand it in bed.
”
The words hit me like a lightning bolt. Five years ago, in the snowy mountains, I had been that woman. “No, we can,” I whispered. That night, I proved it again.
But when I woke up the next morning, Nick was gone. I was alone in a strange room. “Miss Ford, please wait here for a moment. Lord Law will be here soon,” a maid said.
I couldn’t believe it. Five years ago, he had left without a word. Now he was going to be my husband, and I still couldn’t tell him the truth. That was when Zoe walked in, her face twisted with jealousy.
“I can’t believe you really slept with Nick. Back then, he left without a word. Who would have thought that five years later I’d marry him? Maybe I should tell Nick what happened five years ago.
”
I kept my mouth shut. “You still can’t take my place as Nick’s wife,” she continued. “This is Nick’s choice. You don’t need to pick a fight with me.
Don’t forget that Nick will only marry you for a year. Just mark my words. Cathy is Nick’s only daughter and I’ll be his only wife. ”
“You’re mistaken, Zoe.
”
“Oh, right. Do you know how Nick’s last fiancée died? She was burned alive. You’d better watch it.
Otherwise, you and your bastard will end up dead. ”
I spent the next few days in a fog, trying to piece together what was happening. But everything came crashing down the day of the wedding ceremony. I was trying to keep Bella safe in our room, but she was restless.
“Mom, can I go out to play? It’s so boring in this room. ”
“Sweetheart, you need to listen to me. It’s not safe for us here.
The people here are very dangerous. ”
“Dangerous? But it’s not dangerous here at all. ”
“Sweetheart, it’s not as simple as you think.
You need to do as I say, okay? Starting today, you are not to leave this room. No running around. Understand?
”
Before she could answer, a maid rushed in. “Miss Ford, Cathy has disappeared. Lord Law is looking for her. ”
I felt a chill run down my spine.
I found Nick standing in the hallway. “Nick, what are you doing here? The wedding ceremony is about to start. ”
“What were you doing to her?
” He gestured, and I saw Bella cowering in the corner. “You saw that? I… I was just telling her to go back to her room. ”
“Couldn’t you tell that she didn’t want to go to her room?
”
“I know, but she might be in danger. ”
“Danger? This is my home. What danger could she possibly be facing?
”
“I didn’t mean any harm. I just wanted to protect her. ”
“Protect her? Is that what you call protecting her?
We’re not even married yet, and you’re already treating my daughter like this. What’s next? What else are you going to do? ”
“I didn’t…”
“I never imagined you were such a vicious person, Jodie.
You hid it so well. I was completely wrong about you last night. ”
“You…”
“Now you’re coming with me. I’m not going to let you get away with this.
”
He dragged me to the great hall, where my parents and the entire dragon clan were gathered. “Lord Law, what’s going on? What has Jody done to upset you? ” my mother asked, feigning innocence.
“Tell them what happened,” Nick demanded. “I saw you lock my daughter in a room. You were abusing my daughter. ”
“Impossible.
How dare she? ”
“Lord Ford, I’m afraid our agreement is off. ”
“No! Jody, what have you done?
Are you trying to ruin us? ”
“I really didn’t do anything. She’s my daughter. Why would I ever lay a hand on her?
”
“Your daughter? Jody, you can stop the act. You hurt a five-year-old. That says it all.
”
Nick turned to my parents. “This is all my fault. I was wrong about you. Lord Ford, I don’t blame you for this.
The wedding is off. ”
“Lord Law, we will give you an explanation for what happened today, but the wedding…”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ve made up my mind. I’m calling off the wedding.
”
My mother turned on me, her eyes blazing. “Jodie! Are you trying to get us killed? Lord Law, this has nothing to do with us.
We absolutely did not put her up to this. Since Jodie made such a terrible mistake, she is no longer my daughter. ”
“But I’m your own daughter, mother. ”
“Pack her things.
Banish her from the Cinderlands. ”
I stood there, listening to my own mother cast me out for the second time in my life. “I’ve been abandoned again. Maybe I should never have come back.
”
I left the castle, my heart shattered. I didn’t even have Bella with me. Nick had sent her to a room somewhere. But then I heard a voice.
“Mommy! I’m here! ”
I turned and saw two identical little girls standing behind me. Bella.
And Cathy. “Bella? You’re Cathy? ”
“Yes.
I’m Bella. We look exactly alike. We’re sisters. ”
“We have to escape and tell Dad,” Cathy said.
“But Mom won’t let us. ”
“That evil woman isn’t our mom. Our mom is Jody. ”
I stared at them.
“What did you say? ”
“That bad woman locked us up. She said she wasn’t our real mom. ”
And then everything clicked into place.
Melody. Nick’s so-called wife. She had turned me into the villain to protect her own position. She had stolen my daughter.
Before I could fully process it, a guard ran up to me. “Miss Ford, we found your daughter. She’s in the northern woods. ”
“The northern woods?
It’s already been sealed, right? Why would you go there? ”
“I was just passing the entrance to the northern woods, and I saw a little girl crouching by the entrance and crying. ”
“She was wearing a blue dress and holding a crystal sword, right?
”
“Yes. ”
“Wait, if you know what my daughter is wearing, then you saw her. Are you lying to me? ”
The guard didn’t answer.
I walked to the northern woods with a sinking feeling in my gut. Melody was waiting for me. “Melody, you tricked me! ”
“Stop resisting, Jodie.
This is a spell made for dragons. Once you’re here, you won’t make it out alive. ”
“You’ve never even met Bella. How do you know what she was wearing?
You kidnapped her! ”
“You shouldn’t have competed with me. I won’t let you leave here alive. ”
“Where’s Bella?
What did you do to her? ”
“Just worry about yourself. Soon, you’ll rot in here. No one will come here to save you.
Your daughter, I’ll take good care of her for you. ”
She slammed the gate shut, and the world went dark. The cold seeped into my bones, and I could feel the life draining out of me. But I had dragon slayer blood in my veins.
This forbidden place, designed to kill dragons, couldn’t kill me. I collapsed, my breath shallow. Somewhere in the distance, I heard my name. “Jody!
Where are you? ”
It was Nick. He found me. And he was holding Cathy and Bella by the hand.
“I’m sorry,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “I misunderstood you. Melody took the kids. I thought… I thought you were hurting Cathy.
”
“I tried to tell you,” I whispered. “I know. I’m so sorry. I should have believed you.
”
“Five years ago, in the snowy mountains, it was you who broke my curse,” I said. He stared at me. “What? ”
“You were the man in the cave.
You’re the one I slept with. I’m Bella’s mother. And Cathy’s. ”
He was speechless.
“I’ve spent five years looking for you. I’m so sorry. You’ve gone through a lot. ”
“That day, when I woke up, you were already gone.
The guards told me you were just messing with me, then they kicked me out. ”
“That day there was an emergency and I had to leave. I told the guards to bring you here, but they said you left on your own. It has to be Melody.
She’s the only one with the power and the motive. We’ve missed five years. ”
“I… I thought you already had a wife and a child. So, I didn’t tell you my identity.
”
“I’ve spent five years looking for you. Now, I want to make good on that promise. I’m calling the entire dragon clan here. I’ll show them that you’re my wife.
”
The next day, as I stood before the assembled dragon clan, my parents and Zoe tried to cut me down. “How does it feel to be abandoned? I gave you the chance to come with me, but you refused. Do you regret it now?
”
“No. ”
“Just save it. If you beg me, maybe I’ll forgive you for old times’ sake. I might even take you with me.
”
“Stay away from me. ”
“You’re just a nobody. How dare you despise me? How dare you?
”
“You… You’ve already been kicked out. How dare you come here and seduce Paul? ”
“Mother, look at her. She was all over Paul.
She’s already been kicked out. How could she seduce my man? ”
“What are you up to this time? If you upset Lord Law again, I’ll severely punish you,” my father said.
“Nick asked me to come here. ”
“Who are you fooling? Nick just called off your engagement two days ago. He wished you were dead.
”
The crowd murmured, and Nick’s voice cut through the noise: “She is my wife. ”
Everyone froze. “What? ” my mother stammered.
“She is my wife,” Nick repeated. “I married her last night. And I’ve just learned that she is the mother of my two daughters. ”
Zoe’s face went pale.
“That’s impossible. You called off the wedding! ”
“I made a mistake. I misjudged her.
And I was wrong. ”
I stepped forward, looking at my parents. “You’re not afraid of my powers. You’re just afraid that you can’t control me.
That’s why you slandered me. I am a dragon slayer, but over the years, I haven’t harmed a single dragon. However, you’ve been hurting me non-stop. ”
“How can you say that?
We’re your parents! ” my mother shrieked. “Ever since you kicked me out five years ago, we’ve become strangers. I can’t help you.
”
Nick stood beside me. “Since you disrespected my wife, you’ll pay for it. From this day on, I’ll stop supporting the Ford family. All the collaborations will be terminated.
All the territories under my protection are forbidden from doing business with them. ”
My father fell to his knees. “Lord Law, we… we didn’t know. We didn’t know that…”
“Jody, you’re our daughter.
You can’t do this to us! ”
“I’m not your daughter,” I said. “I’m Nick’s wife. And I have a home now.
”
Nick turned to the assembled clan. “I know it’s hard for you to accept her. But I swear that she will never hurt our friends and family. If she ever does, I’ll accept death as my punishment.
”
The crowd hesitated, then one by one, they bowed. “My lord, we are willing to stay. ”
I looked at Nick, and the warmth in his eyes filled me completely. For the first time in my life, I truly believed I had found my place.
I had a home. I had a family. And I was no longer alone.
